It was late, and the sky was clear. There were so many stars speckling the sky... it was truly amazing to look up at them all. My hair was still wet from being thrown in the pool, and I was shivering. I wrapped my towel tighter around myself, and drank my hot chocolate, as I watched the stars. Suddenly, I felt some one sit down next to me. I turned my head to see who it was and...

"Hi," Brian said with a smile.

"Hey. What are you doing out here? Wouldn't you rather be inside with the rest of the guys?" I asked, a little surprised to see him.

"Funny... I was about to ask you the same thing!" he answered me.

"Yeah, well... there's times I'd much rather be alone. I figure there's just too few things I appreciate that no one else seems to grasp," I told him.

He turned his attention to the stars, and pointed towards the sky. "Like how beautiful and many the stars are?" he asked me. My eyes widened. "Exactly... how did you know?" I asked him.

He let that amazing smile spread across his face. "Those are some of the things I think about. Plus... you just look like that type 'o girl!" he said, making a goofy expression, and, mimicking a funny accent, he said "You know... the tall, quiet, brainy type!"

I giggled at him. "No... Not all people have to be tall, quiet, and brainy to appreciate that stuff. I mean... look at you!" I said nudging him. He looked at me and laughed.

"Good one; good one," he said. "You remind me very much of Nick."

I rolled my eyes. "Please say you're not serious!" I gasped. We laughed together for a little while longer, until Nick came out the door.

"Hey, there you are! What are you guys doing out here?" Nick asked.

"Um... just talking-" I said, as Brian cut me off.

"We weren't talking about YOU or anything, bro! Just, um... stuff!" he said, looking around guiltily and fidgeting. I looked at him, arching my eyebrow, and hit his shoulder.

"Nice one, Einstein!" I said. We laughed.

Nick looked a bit confused. "Um... O-KAY... anyway... So, you guys coming in or what?" he asked. Brian looked at me. "Yep... sure. We're coming!" I answered him. "Cool. Well, hurry up!" he called after us, "My mom wants to see us all!!"

Brian helped me off the porch step and we walked inside. "Thank's for keeping me company," I told him, trying not to blush.

"No problem. It was cool getting to know you a little better," he answered me.

I looked at him and smiled. "Likewise."

"There you are, Corinne! Come ON girl... don't lurk in doorways!" BJ shouted at me, as she grabbed my hand and dragged me away.

"Uh, see ya Bri! BJ's just in that *mood* tonight!" I giggled as she pulled me away. Brian laughed and waved as BJ dragged me into the other room.

"Dang girl... you got it bad! Can't keep yourself away from the boy for one second, can you?" BJ asked me.

"Awe, shut up, BJ!" I snapped back at her. We both laughed at each other.

Everyone was sitting in the living room... listening to Nick's dad talk about fly fishing. BJ and I rolled our eyes at each other. AJ had fallen asleep, and his head was leaning over the back of the couch. Nick thought it would be funny to stick a piece of paper in AJ's mouth and see what happens. Needless to say, the results probably weren't to Nick's liking, since AJ had just kicked him in the shins. Brian was mimicking Bob, pretending to cast his fishing pole, and Howie and Kevin were just laughing.

"Ok, dear!" Jane said, exasperated. "Let's change the subject, shall we?" she asked. "Boys... why don't you sing something new for us?" she asked the guys.

Nick blushed. "Awe, mom!! Come on!" he said. BJ and I couldn't help but giggle at him. He shot us an angry look.

"Sure, no problem Mrs. Carter!" Brian said with a smile, gathering the rest of the guys. They stood in the middle of the room in a half circle, and sang a cappella. Brian started them off...

"And a one... two... three...." He started singing as the others hummed behind him and snapped their fingers.

I sat in awe. He had the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard; and it was singing the most amazing, unfamiliar tune; "So many words... for the broken heart..." The words were beautiful and captivating. I listened as AJ broke in, and then they all sang together for the chorus. "Show me the meaning... of being lonely..." I was all around impressed by their vocal abilities, and the way they harmonized had stolen my attention. They all had a lot of talent.

The song finished, and everyone started clapping. Nick's parent's were on the verge of crying. I could just imagine what they were thinking... "That's my son!" "Oh, I'm so proud!" They were both so cute!

My heart was still racing from that song. I looked at Brian as he laughed and blushed while we all clapped. I didn't know what was happening... but I knew there was something going on inside of me; and it wasn't going to be easy to make this feeling go away.